Sam's Week 6 Picks: Broncos to keep rolling
NCAA Lock - CLEMSON over Wake Forest
All three of the Tigers’ losses have been by one score to solid teams and they should be sufficiently fired up when the ACC Atlantic Division-leading Demon Deacons come to Death Valley. By the way, I say the next time Clemson and LSU play, the winner keeps the Death Valley association and gets to pick what the loser calls their home turf. It’s far too goofy for two southeastern fotoball teams to share this moniker.
NCAA Upset - BALL STATE over Bowling Green
David Letterman will be celebrating tonight after his alma mater gets its first win. That is, if Mrs. Letterman will allow it.
NFL Lock - PATRIOTS over Titans
This could be the last game of the Kerry Collins era which means all fantasy teams with Titans wideouts need to start offering panic trades for whatever they can get as (gulp) Vince Young re-enters the lineup.
NFL Upset - Broncos over CHARGERS
The last time Denver visited San Diego, they gave up 52 points and lost the division in an epic collapse. This led to a new era and, surprisingly, a 5-0 start. Behind three holdovers and red bull-crazed safety Brian Dawkins, the Broncos’ ‘D’ has allowed a league-low 43 points in five games. That is 28 points ahead of the next-best defense through five. Couple this with a Chargers team that’s riddled by injuries, particularly to stud nose tackle Jamal Williams and former Chunky Soup pitchman LaDainian Tomlinson and you have a changing-of-the-guard game.
The 2 Legit NFL Rankings
1. NY Giants - 5-0 (LW: 1) This week: at Saints (4-0)
Rolled the Raiders, the NFL’s best example of a JV team, and now travel to the Superdome in 2009’s first megashowdown. Drew Brees won’t get as much time as he’s used to with Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, who has been seen in public with Jared from Subway, rushing from the ends. NYG will likely be able to rush four and sit back in coverage.
2. Indianapolis - 5-0 (LW: 2) This week: Bye
Peyton Manning is playing some of his best football ever, as Indy is once again unbeaten through five. Clinton Portis, 28, must be cringing when he sees Peyton thriving at 33, as Portis looks worn down. Another example of the the huge career-span disparity between QBs and RBs.
3. Minnesota - 5-0 (LW: 3) This week: vs. Ravens (3-2)
Many have the Saints here, but I’d take the Vikes to win that matchup. Solid QB, game-breaking RB, fierce D-line and one of the last true home-field advantages left.
4. New Orleans 4-0 (LW: 4) - This week: vs. Giants (5-0)
If the Giants decide to bracket Marques Colston, who’s been Brees’ only consistent wide receiver, look for a big game from their former tight end Jeremy Shockey, who would love nothing more than to stick it to the team that claimed he was an unnessecary distraction.
5. Denver - 5-0 (LW: 8) This week: at Chargers (2-2)
Kyle Orton outplayed Tom Brady in Week 5. That’s a sentence that’s sure to induce immense stress from the greater Boston area. Denver is 5-0 behind a super-charged, smart defense and a weak-armed QB who looks like Matt Cassel (well, 2008 Matt Cassel) in Josh McDaniels’ system.
6. Cincinnati - 4-1 (LW: NR) This week: vs. Texans (2-3)
Going into Baltimore and winning means no one gets to call these Bengals frauds anymore.
7. Philadelphia - 3-1 (LW: NR) This week: at Raiders (1-4)
Quietly crusing along. Everyone and their brother will be betting on Philly this week given the opponent.
8. New England - 3-2 (LW: 6) This week: vs. Titans (0-5)
The Pats will be back. Brady just needs more time.
